Docking system for pickups on electric guitars

Abstract

A sliding mount for removable insertion of a module into a body of an instrument having longitudinal strings, the body defining a transverse cavity extending from a lateral edge. The sliding mount includes a blade for fixation to the module by a generally planar face generally parallel to and spaced apart from a plane the strings define. The blade has first and second edges oriented perpendicularly to the lateral edge when inserted into the body. A sheath for fixation to the body by a generally planar face is configured to receive the blade. The sheath has a first and second lip configured to define opposing channels the edges that slidingly engage upon insertion of the blade into the sheath.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of an application Ser. No. 11 / 612,780 of the same title filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 19, 2006. The instant application incorporates the content and teaching of that application by this reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to musical instruments and, more specifically, to electric guitars.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Adolph Rickenbacker invented the electric guitar. The popularity of the electric guitar began with the big band era as amplified instruments became necessary to compete with the loud volumes of the large brass sections common to jazz orchestras of the thirties and forties. Initially, electric guitars consisted primarily of hollow archtop acoustic guitar bodies to which electromagnetic transducers known as pickups had been attached.[0004]Electric guitars, in contrast to acoustic guitars, rely upon movement of strings in operative proximi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a system for easily inserting and removing a pickup module into an electric guitar. The pickup module has a base that engages with the guitar and a pickup with two electrodes. The system allows for easy selection and replacement of pickups without needing to remove or loosen the strings. The supporting electronics can be mounted on the module for different pickup types, and the system allows for quick and easy docking and undocking of pickups."

Problems solved by technology

Given the elaborate process necessary for replacement of the pickups, a guitarist's ability to meaningfully compare the relative tonal qualities of distinct sets of pickups is not possible.

In either regard, the guitarist is hampered in comparison because of the transient nature of human recollection of sound.

The longer the interval between use of one set of pickups and use of a second set of pickups, the less complete the guitarist's recollection, thereby impairing the ability to select the appropriate pickups.

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